Sunday 1st April: a significant milestone in the history of the Stuffed Beavers Cricket Club, as they took to the international stage for the first time. In temperatures soaring into the mid thirties, hydration was clearly going to be an important factor – to this end we were fortunate to have the services of Belle, a student at the university of Chiang Mai who kept us supplied in San Miguel as the start time of 4.30 approached. We were also pleased to welcome two new members to the SBCC fold: Chris Billingsley, a 26 year old all rounder from Belfast, and John Dunn, a 66 year old seasoned veteran of the Chiang Mai sixes.Our opponents were the IOS Malakas, who have themselves been coming to the tournament for the best part of 15 years, and who had played earlier in the day and adopted an even more dedicated approach to hydration. Early signs for the Beavers were encouraging as the Malakas skipper was unable to stand for the toss – it looked like the beer was having an effect on these chaps already. The toss itself went to the Malakas who elected to field, which was satisfactory to all parties as our agreed strategy had been to bat first in any event.
In a slightly bizarre departure from SBCC convention, our guest John had announced where in the line up he was going to both bat and bowl, so the draw for the line up had to be conducted around this unorthodox request. First out of the hat was Chris followed by Chas, with a power house middle order of Matt, Nige and Dicky and John to prop up the tail. With the start time approaching there was a palpable sense of tension in the SBCC marquee as the enormity of our task began to sink in. Chris and Chas strode to the wicket swinging their bats both to loosen the shoulders and send a declaration of intent to the oppo. And so battle commenced. At which point it is important to understand the local rule in relation to wides – no extra delivery, but 4 runs added to the score.
Chris faced the first delivery and carefully watched it go through to the keeper, but his intentions were soon made clear as he launched a massive six over midwicket. He and Chas scampered (in the loosest sense of the word) for ones and twos and the board kept ticking over. Our secret weapon, extras, was a key factor in helping us move towards what we thought was a respectable total. The sight of Chas bent double over his bat after another keenly run two was a reminder of the debilitating effects of both the heat and the whole concept of exercising, but our brave lads stuck to their task and after Chris lost his off stump aiming another lofted drive over the bowlers head, Millers took up the mantle with enthusiasm and, occasionally, bat on ball. The 5th and final over came to a close with Chas, or “Boycs” as he became known during the evening, having carried his bat for a magnificent 7 and Millers unbeaten on 5. Chris’s top score of 11 and a healthy contribution from extras saw us come in on 48 for 1 – all in all a very encouraging debut innings in the tournament.
After a 20 minute break it was back to the pitch and Nige prepared to bowl the first over. He paced his run-up and set an attacking field of two slips and a gully, to the considerable consternation of the Malakas openers. Needless to say it was all bluff, and after the first ball passed harmlessly through to Dicky behind the wicket, the field spread out to try and keep the run rate down and increase the pressure on the batsmen. At which point I must refer you to the earlier comment re the penalty for wides… Nige’s complete inability to bowl straight resulted in 3 wides in the first over, and when he finally managed to send a straight delivery down the wicket it was unceremoniously despatched back over his head for an enormous six. 18 without loss at the end of the first over had put the Malakas firmly in the driving seat and in spite of a much tighter second over from Millers we were always under the cosh from thereon in. Chas lifted SBCC spirits in the 3rd over by sending middle stump cartwheeling out of the ground, but the damage had been done and it was only midway through the 4th over, being bowled by John, when the Malakas clamed the winning single.
Handshakes all round and a swift reconvening at the bar, where we were at least able to be the last to leave the ground. The Malakas are a good bunch of lads, and they joined us at Tuskers for the rest of the evening along with Blythwood CC who we had met earlier in the day. After a slow start to the evening it was trebles all round and a good marker for the rest of the week. Just need to work on bowling straight…..
